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Feb 21, 2025 • Filed to: Manage Device Data • Proven solutions
Managing files on an iPhone or iPad can be a headache without the right tools. In this guide, we'll cover how to manage files for iPhone and iPad, syncing with Mac/PC, working with iCloud Drive, organizing your Documents folder, accessing third-party cloud storage, and other tips for taking control of your iPhone and iPad files.
Whether you need to free up space, access files from your computer, collaborate on documents, or simply organize your photos and videos, having a good file manager for iPhone and iPad is essential.
Documents by Readdle has a clean native UI and various built-in tools like a PDF viewer, audio player, video player, and browser.
Documents by Readdle offers basic file management capabilities to browse local, cloud, and remote files in one place. You can view files by category like documents, audio, images and create and manage folders. It also allows you to sort, search, and filter files.
The app provides editing tools to annotate PDFs, edit document text and images, and fill out and sign PDF forms.
Documents by Readdle has built-in media players to play audio and video files within the app. You can adjust playback speed as needed.
The file manager includes a built-in browser with ad blocking. You can open web links directly inside the Documents app.
You can sync folders between devices and share files through email, AirDrop etc.
Documents supports WebDAV to provide remote access to files. It also offers a built-in VPN for secure browsing.
Documents by Readdle is available in a free version with limited tools and a premium version with full features for $9.99/month.
Pros
Cons
OneDrive deeply integrates with Microsoft 365 apps and provides strong privacy protections.
OneDrive enables you to directly edit Office documents like Word, Excel, PowerPoint. You can also save photos from the Photos app and access private documents through Personal Vault.
It offers restricted access sharing and expiring shared links for security. You can use fingerprint or face ID to open OneDrive apps.
ou can search text across documents and organize files into folders and albums. Offline access allows you to view files without an internet connection.
OneDrive can automatically upload camera photos and lets you view, share and edit stored pictures.
OneDrive offers 5GB free storage. Paid plans provide 100GB for $1.99/month or 1TB for $6.99/month.
Total Files is an ad-free file manager for iOS with a one-time purchase option and integration with major cloud services.
It allows accessing local, cloud, and iOS Files. You can sort, search, filter as well as create and manage folders. It also enables renaming, sharing, and deleting files.
Total Files includes a document and PDF viewer, media player for audio/video, and image gallery.
You can annotate PDFs and fill out and sign PDF forms.
It supports Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud, Dropbox, Box, WebDAV and more.
Total Files has passcode lock capability and incognito browsing mode.
It offers a free limited version and full features for a one-time $4.99 payment.
Owl Files enables connections to local networks, cloud services, and remote access protocols.
You can connect to PC via SMB, establish FTP, SFTP servers, and set up WebDAV access.
It supports Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud as well as Amazon S3, Baidu Netdisk, Dropbox, Box, Mega and more.
Owl Files allows accessing recent, favorite and offline files. You can search, sort, filter files and create folders.
It includes an image gallery, audio/video players, and a tool to scan documents.
Passcode and Touch ID locking is available.
Owl Files offers a free version along with premium plans starting at $4.99/month.
FileMaster provides built-in camera, hidden media gallery, and passcode locking for private file management.
You can directly take photos and record videos within FileMaster. This media is hidden from the Photos app.
It enables local file browsing and connections to cloud storage services.
FileMaster supports passcode app locking, hidden media gallery, and incognito browsing for privacy.
It includes an image gallery, audio/video players and tools to markup and annotate files.
FileMaster is available in a free version and a premium version for $2.99.
Bolt Browser and Documents combines file management capabilities with a full-featured browser.
It provides ad blocking, download manager, private browsing, and alternate search engines.
You can browse local files, connect cloud services, and import media from Photos app.
Bolt enables Picture-in-Picture mode, adjustable playback speed, and file conversion.
It supports passcode and Face ID locking plus hidden photo gallery.
Bolt Browser and Documents are 100% free.
Managing files on your iPhone can be frustrating when you rely solely on the native Files app. It lacks the advanced tools power users need to truly take control of their iPhone file system. That's where Dr.Fone Basic comes in - it's an easy yet incredibly powerful way to manage all your media, documents, and other files on an iPhone or iPad.
Dr.Fone enables seamlessly transfer photos, videos, music, documents and other media between iPhone and your computer. It can also backup your iPhone files to your computer to safeguard your data and free up space on your phone.
Backup & Restore iOS Data Turns Flexible.
Follow these simple steps to start managing your iPhone files like a pro with Dr.Fone:
Step 1.Download and install Dr.Fone on your Windows or Mac computer from the official website. Launch the app once installed.
Step 2.Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable. Dr.Fone will automatically detect it. Select "Phone Manager" in the choice of tools.
Step 3.Your iPhone data and files will load in Dr.Fone. Use the category tabs like Media, Files, Photos, Music, Videos, Contacts and more to access specific file types.
Step 4.Browse and click folders to explore your iPhone file system. Select any file for a preview or further options.
Step 5.To export iPhone files to your computer, select them and click "Export" to save to any location on your computer.
Step 6.To import files from computer to iPhone, click "Add" and select the files. You can also drag and drop files into Dr.Fone.
Step 7.Use the menu bar options to delete, move, copy, add folders, search, refresh your file list and more.
Step 8.Click the playback icons next to media files like photos and videos to preview them. View contacts and messages too.
Step 9.Sync your iPhone with iTunes by clicking the Sync button if you want to keep your device content synced.
Step 10.Create backups of your iPhone data and files for safekeeping and retrieval if needed.
In just minutes, Dr.Fone transforms from iPhone file explorer to full-fledged iPhone file manager. The easy transfer, preview, sync, backup and management capabilities make it far more powerful than the native Files app for organizing your photos, videos, music, documents and other data.
Manage your iPhone files like a pro with various file manager apps. Tap into advanced organization features, easy transfers between devices, expanded storage capacity, and robust file previews. Take control of your photos, videos, documents, and other data stored across your iPhone, iPad, cloud services, and computer for smooth file management. You can also adopt reliable tools like Dr.Fone Basic for file management.
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